Scoopuccinos receives approval for new site in village of Potsdam

POTSDAM  The village Planning Board has approved a site plan application for a new location for Scoopuccinos, which is expected to be displaced by the construction of a Hampton Inn.

Frederick Hanss, village director of planning and development, said the tentative new location for the restaurant, 62 Country Lane, across from Lowes store, would fit well with the villages efforts to increase activity along Market Street north of downtown.

I would say this is probably one of those projects that does what we want to do on Market Street, he said.

In February, the board accepted the site plan for the proposed Hampton Inn, a three-story, 95-room hotel intended to address the lack of available hotel rooms in Potsdam. The hotel is to be built at 167-169 Market St., the site of Scoopuccinos and Tons Sports Bar, which recently announced plans to relocate to a location to be determined.

The Hampton Inn, a project of Corning-based management company Vision Hotels, is estimated to cost $6 million to $7 million. Mr. Hanss said the remaining steps include obtaining a building permit from village code enforcement officer Larry Colbert and receiving funding for the project.

The Planning Board also approved a site plan last week for the expansion of Canton-Potsdam Hospital.

In March, the board members expressed disappointment that architects for the project hadnt kept them informed when they changed plans for stormwater runoff. Prior to that meeting, board members had learned of the changes from officials working on the $5.5 million expansion of the hospitals medical office complex at 49 Lawrence Ave.

The original plan called for water to be collected in above-ground ponds and underground reservoirs, where it would slowly seep back into the soil. Architect Brooks Washburn presented a revised plan that eliminates the underground containers and increases the size of the storage ponds.

He said hospital officials had previously told the board they were working on a limited budget and werent sure if they would have enough funding for the storage tanks.

Board member James F. Corbett said the board wasnt blaming the developers and wanted to ensure that no new construction adds to the villages already taxed stormwater system.

Were not blaming the hospital. ... We just dont want to exacerbate the problem, he said.

Board member Ted Prahl said the board found the hospitals site plan favorable with the only recommendations being to add one or two more handicapped parking spaces.

Commenting rules:

Stick to the topic of the article/letter/editorial.

When responding to issues raised by other commenters, do not engage in personal attacks or name-calling.

Comments that include profanity/obscenities or are libelous in nature will be removed without warning.

Violators' commenting privileges may be revoked indefinitely. By commenting you agree to our full Terms of Use.